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6.2 SR 10-07-2024The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity Request for Action To City Council Item Number 6.2 Meeting Date October 7, 2024 Prepared By Mark Dickinson, Fire Chief Item Description Safe Streets for All Presentation Reviewed by Mark Dickinson Cal Portner Tina Allard Action Requested Council to receive an update from SRF Consultation Group. Background/Discussion The City of Elk River was the recipient of U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All funding to assist in effectively identifying and addressing transportation and safety concerns and preparing for potential implementation funding. SRF Consultation Group was hired using grant funds to provide a Community Risk Assessment/Comprehensive Safety Action Plan per our Request for Proposal. SRF has completed gathering data and community feedback and is prepared to present it to the council and update on the progress. Financial Impact None Mission/Policy/Goal Elk River Mission Attachments 1. ElkRiverSAP_Council_Presentation Page 88 of 139 Elk River Safety Action Plan City Council Meeting October 7, 2024 Page 89 of 139 “[Safety] Action Plans are comprehensive safety plans aimed at reducing and eliminating serious-injury and fatal crashes affecting all roadway users.” -U.S. Department of Transportation What is a Safety Action Plan? Page 90 of 139 •Ensure vulnerable and underserved communities are considered in plan development Components of a Safety Action Plan •Commit publicly to Vision Zero •Develop goals to achieve Vision Zero Leadership Commitment and Goal Setting •Establish a diverse working group to develop, implement, and monitor the plan Planning Structure •Identify target crash types and crash risks •Confirm systemic and specific safety needs •Locate higher-risk locations Safety Analysis Collaborating with the community to: •Ground-truth safety analysis •Build support for implementation Engagement and Collaboration Equity Considerations •Review policies, plans, and standards to improve how existing processes prioritize safety Policy and Process Changes •Develop strategies and projects to address safety problems, including a timeline for implementation Strategy and Project Selections •Measure progress over time and adjust strategies and projects as needed Progress and Transparency Eight Core Elements Page 91 of 139 Timeline •Applied for successful SS4A Planning Grant Sep 2022 •Develop Safety Action Plan Jan 2024 – Dec 2024 •Adopt Safety Action Plan and commit to goal Jan 2025 •Apply for SS4A Implementation Grant Spring 2025 *SS4A = Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary program We are here Page 92 of 139 Public Involvement Public and Agency Engagement Plan Phase 2: Test Ideas Phase 1: Understand Experiences Details engagement phases, roles and responsibilities. Learn from the community’s transportation experiences. Share and test ideas with the community to finalize the plan. www.ElkRiverSafetyActionPlan.com We are here Page 93 of 139 Public Involvement – What have we done so far? Page 94 of 139 Public Involvement – What have we learned? Walking & Biking are the modes that are most common for desired mode shifts Top safety concerns: Speeding vehicles Reckless driving Failure to yield to peds Lack of sidewalks 76% of respondents avoid traveling to certain places in Elk River on foot and by bike because of transportation safety concerns Page 95 of 139 Safety analysis found 34 fatal and serious injury crashes (2019-2023) •12 on State roadways •8 on County roadways •14 on City roadways or with intersections with City/State roadways Where Elk River is Today Page 96 of 139 Safety Analysis Crash Data Community Input First Responder Input =+ Page 97 of 139 Safety Issues •Speeding •Sight line issues •Queueing of vehicles •No sidewalks/crosswalks, small shoulders for biking •Lack of lighting Page 98 of 139 Zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035 Elk River’s Goal Page 99 of 139 Example Safety Strategies https://www.ci.mahtomedi.mn.us/312/Rectangular- Rapid-Flashing-Beacons-RRFBs Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Road Diet Curb Extensions https://highways.dot.gov/safety/proven-safety- countermeasures/road-diets-roadway-reconfiguration https://sdg.minneapolismn.gov/design- guidance/intersections/pedestrian-crossings/curb- extensions Page 100 of 139 Next Steps •Finalize safety strategies •Identify prioritized list of projects and locations •Engage with the community in November 2025 •Adopt plan and recommit to safety goal in January 2025 •Apply for SS4A implementation grant in Spring 2025 Page 101 of 139 Thank You SRF Project Manager Molly Stewart mstewart@srfconsulting.com Visit the website: https://elkriversafetyactionplan.com/ Page 102 of 139